Establishing connection across a connection-oriented first telecommunications network in response to a connection request from a second telecommunications network

ABSTRACT

A first Multi Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) Internet Protocol (IP) data network transmits data to a second MPLS IP network via a legacy network, which would not otherwise be able to handle the required user network interface (UNI) protocol by configuring the legacy network and its network management system (TNMS) so that they emulate an MPLS network. When a first network element (NE) receives a connection (UNI) request from the MPLS network under a UNI protocol, the UNI request is passed to the TNMS, which then sets the required connection across the legacy network via a second edge NE to an NE of the second network. Once the connection has been set, the TNMS instructs the edge NE to send a return signal to the requesting network indicating that the connection has been successfully set. Data packets may then be transmitted across the network.

The present invention relates to a method of communicating across atelecommunications network and associated apparatus. In particular, theinvention relates to a method of communicating across atelecommunications network, to a telecommunications network, to anetwork management system for setting connections in a network and to anetwork element of such networks.

Telecommunications networks, particularly optical networks, have in thepast routed data across the network by setting routes by means of amanually operated network management system. When changes are requiredto be made to the route or routes set in the network, response times canbe very long in comparison to the rate of transmission of data.

Significant improvements in routing of data have been made in recentyears in the context of electrical networks. One such improvement is theability of network elements of the network to route data packets withoutreverting to a separate network management system. Recently, the use ofMulti Protocol Label Switching (MPLS), which is currently used in bothIP and ATM networks, has been recognised as being particularlyadvantageous. One of the benefits of MPLS is that network elements ofthe network are able to route a given data packet quickly, by referenceto a label in the data packet. Furthermore, since the routing of datapackets does not require the exchange of data with a network managementsystem the use of MPLS has a major advantage in that it facilitatesdynamic network control without the delays often associated withnetworks controlled by a network management system.

It has been proposed, so as to facilitate dynamic network control, tointroduce MPLS, in the form of a Generalised Multi-protocol LabelSwitching (GMPLS) method, into optical networks. However, incorporatingGMPLS into an optical network is not straightforward. Two proposals havebeen made for implementing GMPLS in an optical network as will now bedescribed.

The first proposal may be referred to as the “Peer-to-Peer Model” and isillustrated by FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawings. With reference toFIG. 1, a first IP network 1 is connected via an optical network 2 to asecond IP network 3. The optical network 2 is required to make availableto the IP networks 1, 3 topological information (in the form of IPinformation) so that data packets can be routed from the first IPnetwork 1 to the second IP network 3 via the optical network 2 by meansof IP data in the data packet. If the optical network 2 is privatelyowned, making such topological information publicly available mayhowever be undesirable. For example, such information may be consideredto be commercially sensitive and it may be desired to keep suchinformation confidential.

The second proposal, which may be referred to as the “Client—ServerModel”, does not require the optical network to make public suchtopological information. In this second proposal, which is describedwith reference to. FIG. 2 of the accompanying drawings, a first IPnetwork 1 is connected via an optical network 2 to a second IP network 3in a manner similar to that of the first proposal. However, in thisproposal the interfaces between the first and second IP networks 1, 3(the clients) and the optical network 2 (the server) each include a usernetwork interface 4 (UNI). Thus the first IP network 1, via a first UNI4 a, effectively request a connection across the optical network 2 bymeans of IP data in a data packet. Topology information relating to theoptical network 2 is however not made available outside the opticalnetwork 2.

Both of the proposals described above suffer from a significantdisadvantage. In order for the optical network to operate in a GMPLSenvironment it is necessary, in the proposals made, for the networkelements of the optical network to process and handle network topologyinformation and to set up and tear down network connections. In orderfor the individual network elements to be able to perform such tasks thenetwork elements each require significant processing capability andaccess to significant amounts of memory. Whilst such requirements can bemet when installing new optical networks, many existing optical networkelements are not able to perform at the required level. Replacing suchexisting optical networks (often referred to as legacy networks) wouldbe costly and is therefore undesirable.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a methodof communicating across a telecommunications network which allows agiven protocol, for example a protocol used in an MPLS environment, tobe used in combination with other networks, for example opticalnetworks, and which mitigates one or more of the problems associatedwith the above-mentioned proposals. The present invention also seeks toprovide suitable means or apparatus for performing such a method oraspects of such a method.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a methodof operating a connection-oriented communications network, thecommunications network comprising a plurality of network elements inwhich connections across the network elements are established by anetwork management system; the communications network being connectableto a second communications network by an edge network element, thesecond communications network comprising a plurality of network elementseach of which is capable of making connections or routing data acrossthe second network in accordance with a connection request received bythe element; the connection request being in accordance with apredetermined protocol, the method being for establishing a connectionacross the connection-oriented network in response to a connectionrequest from the second network and characterised by: the edge networkelement upon receiving a connection request from the second network,sending to the network management system information relating to theconnection request; the network management system sending signals to seta connection across the network in response to said information receivedfrom the edge network element; and the network management system causingthe edge network element to send a return signal according to thepredetermined protocol to the second network indicating the status ofthe setting of a connection.

The method of the present invention enables a connection-orientednetwork to establish connections in response to connection requests,which it would otherwise be unable to handle, by the steps of passingthe connection request from a suitably configured edge network elementto a suitably configured network management system, which is able toprocess the request, make the connection in accordance with the requestand respond via the edge network element in accordance with the givenprotocol. As far as the second network is concerned theconnection-oriented communications network is able to communicate withit under the given protocol. In the context of the method of theinvention, the manner in which connection requests are made can beconsidered as being a client-server arrangement, in which theconnection-oriented network is the server network and the second networkis the client network.

The return signal indicating the status of the setting of the connectionmay for example indicate either that the connection has beensuccessfully made or that the connection could not be made. After thesecond network receives a return signal indicating that the connectionhas been successfully made, data can then be transmitted from the secondnetwork across the communications network.

Advantageously the connection-oriented communications network is furtherconnectable to a third communications network by a further edge networkelement, the third network comprising a plurality of network elementseach of which is capable of making connections or routing data acrossthe third network in accordance with a connection request received bythe element, and the method further comprises: the network managementsystem causing the further edge network element to send a connectionrequest according to the predetermined protocol to the third networkthereby enabling connection of the second and third networks via theconnection-oriented network.

Preferably the connection-oriented network is operated such that, in usetopology information relating to the network is not made availableoutside the network to for example the second and/or third networks. Ofcourse, information concerning the possible connections to and fromnetwork elements within, but at the edge of the network, may be madeavailable to network elements outside the communications network andaccordingly such information may be considered as not relating totopology information relating to the communications network.

Advantageously the predetermined protocol is a user network interface(UNI) protocol. The UNI protocol may be such that topology informationis not revealed over the interface between the communications networks.The user network interface protocol used may, for example, be inaccordance with the standards laid down by the Optical Interface Forum(OIF). An appropriate standard is described in document number OIF2000.125 available from the Optical Interface Forum. In the case wherethe communications network is connected to MPLS enabled networks, thearrangement may be such that the MPLS network elements require aconnection request in order to make a connection and transmit data. SuchMPLS network elements may also be arranged automatically to sendappropriate connection requests. Thus, when setting a connection fromthe communications network to the third network that is MPLS enabled,the network management system advantageously causes the further edgenetwork element to send an appropriate connection request, for example,a UNI request.

The method may be such that other protocols are used when furtherconnection requests are made between network elements of the network.For example, a network network interface (or NNI) protocol may be usedAn NNI protocol may be especially convenient when connection requestsare made between MKS enabled network elements. The NM protocol may besuch that topology information is revealed over the interface betweenthe relevant network elements.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided aconnection-oriented communications network comprising a plurality ofnetwork elements in which connections across the network elements areestablished by a network management system; the communications networkbeing adapted to be interoperable with a second communications networkby an edge network element, the second network comprising a plurality ofnetwork elements each of which is capable of making connections orrouting data across the second network in accordance with a connectionrequest received by the element; the connection request being inaccordance with a predetermined protocol, the connection-orientednetwork being characterised by the edge network element upon receivingconnection request from the second network, sending to the networkmanagement system information relating to the connection request; thenetwork management system sending signals to the network elements to seta connection across the network in response to said information receivedfrom the edge network element; and the network management system causingthe edge network element to send a return signal according to thepredetermined protocol to the second network indicating the status ofthe setting of a connection.

The present invention finds particular application to legacyconnection-oriented networks that comprise network elements unable tomake connections or route data in accordance with connection requests.The step in which the edge network element sends to the networkmanagement system information relating to the connection request cancomprise relaying, or repeating, the connection request. The edgenetwork element may therefore be required to perform little orpreferably no processing of the connection request, Conveniently theedge network element can comprise a legacy edge network element that hasbeen appropriately adapted. Conversion of the legacy network element mayinclude a step of programming the network element with appropriateupdated software. The requirements of such computer software will beapparent to the relevant persons skilled in the art and, as such,further details of such software are not provided here. Alternatively,the conversion could be made by means of extra hardware in addition to,or instead of, providing such software.

The network management system advantageously comprises the legacynetwork management system that has been appropriately adapted. Theconversion of such a legacy network management system may include a stepof programming the network management system with appropriate updatedsoftware. Again the requirements of such computer software would beapparent to those skilled in the art, when presented with the details ofthe present invention. Alternatively, the conversion could be made bymeans of extra hardware in addition to, or instead of, providing suchsoftware.

Advantageously the communications network further comprises a furtheredge network element for connecting the communications network to athird communications network, the third network comprising a pluralityof network elements each of which is capable of making connections orrouting data across the third network in accordance with a connectionrequest received by the element, the network management system beingconfigured to cause the further edge network element to send aconnection request according to the predetermined protocol to the thirdnetwork thereby enabling connection of the second and third networks viathe communications network. Such a network is advantageous where thethird network requires a connection request according to thepredetermined protocol to be received before a connection can be made.Since the network management system causes the further edge network tosend the connection request this eliminates the need for the furtheredge network element to be able to itself generate the connectionrequest.

Preferably the communications network is operated such that, in use,topology information relating to the network is not made availableoutside the network.

Advantageously the predetermined protocol is a user network interface(UNI) protocol. The network management system may also be able to handlethat same UNI protocol insofar as is necessary to enable it to cause theedge network element to send the return signal under the same UNIprotocol. The relevant edge network elements of the network may simplybe programmed with appropriate software to enable them to handle thesame UNI protocol.

Preferably the second and/or third networks are packet based networks,such as Internet Protocol (IP) networks in which data packets are routedby the network elements in dependence upon the connection request withinthe packets. Alternatively the second and/or third networks can compriseAsynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) networks, and alike, in whichconnections are established by the network elements in dependence uponconnection requests. The invention finds particular application forconnection to networks able to handle Multi-Protocol Label Switching(MPLS). It will be understood that multi-protocol label switching maytake many forms, any of which could be used in the context of thepresent invention. For example, a generalised form of MPLS (GMPLS) maybe used. The form of multi-protocol label switching used may however beconveniently chosen to be in accordance with an accepted standard, forexample, a standard set by the Internet Engineering Task Force.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided an edgenetwork element for use in a communications network in accordance withthe second aspect of the invention.

According to a yet further aspect of the invention there is provided anetwork management system for use in a communications network inaccordance with the second aspect of the invention.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way ofexample only with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, ofwhich:

FIGS. 1 and 2 show prior art proposals for a telecommunications network;

FIG. 3 illustrates a telecommunications network in accordance with afirst embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 4 illustrates a telecommunications network in accordance with asecond embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 1 and 2 relate to prior art proposals and are described above.

A telecommunications network according to the first embodiment of theinvention is shown in FIG. 3. With reference to FIG. 3 the networkincludes a first MPLS enabled IP network 11 connectable to a second MPLSenabled IP network 13 via a legacy optical network 12. The legacyoptical network 12 includes a plurality of internal network elements 15(only one of which is shown in FIG. 3 for the sake of clarity) and aplurality of edge network elements 14 a, 14 b (only two of which areshown). The legacy optical network 12 is also connected to a traditionalnetwork management system 16.

At the interface between the first IP network 11 and the optical network12, signals may be received and sent by an edge network element 14 a ofthe optical network 12. Similarly, at the interface between the secondIP network 13 and the optical network 12, signals may be received andsent by an edge network element 14 b of the optical network 12. Networkaccess and connection requests may be made through the edge networkelements of the optical network. The network may thus be considered asforming a client/server system with interfaces, between the server (theoptical network 12) and the client (the first or second IP networks 11,13).

The protocol used at such interfaces, in relation to the provision ofnetwork access and connection requests, is a UNI (user networkinterface) protocol.

A UNI protocol is also used throughout the first and second IP networks11, 13 and connection requests in the form of UNI requests are, in theIP networks, processed by the local network elements, connections beingestablished by use of the topology protocols running across the network.The topology protocols used may for example be an OSPF (Open ShortestPath First) protocol. However, the network elements within the legacyoptical network 12 are not able to process such requests locally. Themaking of a connection across the optical network 12, including thehandling of UNI requests made to edge network elements of the opticalnetwork 12, will now be described.

A UNI request is sent to a first edge network element 14 a of theoptical network 12 from a network element (not shown separately) of thefirst IP network 11, the request effectively requesting a connection toa network element of the second IP network 13.

The request is sent (arrow A) directly to the network management system16. The network management system 16 then processes the request anddetermines an appropriate connection across the optical network 12. Thenetwork management system 16 then sends signals (arrows B) instructingthe edge network element 14 a, the relevant internal network elements 15and a second network element 14 b of the optical network to establishthe required connection. The network management system 16 thenformulates a suitable response for sending to the network element of thefirst network 11 that sent the UNI request. The network managementsystem 16 then sends (arrow C) a signal to the edge network element 14 aoriginally receiving the UNI request, causing that edge network element14 a to send such a suitable response to that network element of thefirst network 11.

The response sent from the edge network element 14 a originallyreceiving the UNI request to the network element of the first network 11indicates either that a connection has been successfully made or thatthe connection failed, as appropriate. If the connection is successfullymade the network element of the first network 11 is then able to senddata via the optical network 12 to the appropriate network element ofthe second IP network 13.

The IP networks 11, 13 are not able to discover the topology of theoptical network 12, as such information is not made available outside ofthe optical network 12.

Thus it will be appreciated that such an arrangement enables aclient/server UNI network to be established without the need for networkelements of the server network (the legacy optical network 12) to runlocally any topology protocols. This is especially advantageous inlegacy networks, such as the optical network 12 illustrated in FIG. 3,where the network elements do not have the required memory and/orprocessing power to handle such protocols.

A telecommunications network according to a second embodiment of theinvention is illustrated with reference to FIG. 4. In this secondembodiment, MPLS enabled network elements are combined with legacynetwork elements in a common transport network. The MPLS enabled partsof the network can operate with full topology protocols, whereas thelegacy part of the network effectively emulates a UNI interface toenable connections across the legacy part of the network to be providedautomatically on request.

With reference to FIG. 4, the network includes a first MPLS enabled IPnetwork 21 a connectable to a second MPLS enabled IP network 23 a via anoptical network 20. The optical part of the network comprises a legacyoptical network 22 connectable between first and second MPLS enabledoptical networks 21 b, 23 b. The legacy optical network 22 includes aplurality of internal network elements (not shown) and a plurality ofedge network elements 24 a, 24 b and is connected to a traditionalnetwork management system 26, in a manner similar to that of the legacyoptical network 12 shown in

FIG. 3.

In FIG. 4, the first IP network 21 a has a UNI interface to the opticalnetwork 20. Topology information relating to the first MPLS opticalnetwork 21 b, the second MPLS optical network 23 b and the legacyoptical network 22 is not made available outside each network,respectively. As far as the first IP network 21 a is concerned theoptical network 20 may, or may not, be separated into MPLS enabled andlegacy optical networks. The making of a connection from the first IPnetwork 21 a to the second IP network 23 a will now be described.

The first IP network 21 a sends a UNI request to the first MPLS enabledoptical network 21 b of the optical network 20, the UNI requesteffectively, requesting a connection to a network element (not shownseparately) of the second IP network 23 a via the optical network 20.The UNI request is processed locally within the first MPLS opticalnetwork 21 b, and the requested connection made to the edge of thatnetwork, where it meets another UNI interface (the interface between thefirst MPLS optical network 21 b and the legacy optical network 22). Anew UNI request is therefore sent from an edge network element of thefirst MPLS optical network 21 b to a first edge network element 24 a ofthe legacy optical network 22. This UNI request effectively requests aconnection from the interface between the MPLS optical network 21 b andthe legacy optical network 22 to the destination network element of thesecond IP network 23 a. Since the network receiving the UNI request is alegacy optical network 22, the request cannot be processed locally bythe network elements of the network 22.

In a manner similar to that described above with reference to the firstembodiment, the request is sent (arrow A) directly to the traditionalnetwork management system 26. The network management system 26 thenprocesses the request and determines an appropriate connection acrossthe optical network 22. The network management system 26 then sendssignals (arrow B) instructing the edge network element 24 a, therelevant internal network elements and a second network element 24 b ofthe optical network to establish the required connection. In thisembodiment, however, the legacy optical network 22 interfaces to anotheroptical network, which is MPLS enabled (i.e. the second MPLS opticalnetwork 23 b).

The second MPLS optical network 23 b requires a UNI request to cause itto make the connection to the second IP network 23 a. Thus the networkmanagement system 26 sends (arrow X) to the second edge network element24 b of the legacy network 22 a signal causing the second edge networkelement 24 b to send a UNI request to an edge network element of thesecond MPLS optical network 23 b. This UNI request again effectivelyrequests a connection to be made to the destination network element ofthe second IP network 23 a. The UNI request is processed locally withinthe second MPLS optical network 23 b, and the requested connection madeacross that network to the destination network element of the second IPnetwork 23 a.

The edge network element of the second MPLS optical network 23 breceiving the UNI request from the second edge network element 24 b ofthe legacy network 22, sends a return signal under the UNI protocol tothe second edge network element 24 b, the return signal indicating thatthe requested connection has been successfully made. The return signalis sent (arrow Y) directly to the network management system 26. Onreceipt of that return signal the network management system 26formulates a suitable response for sending to the network element of thefirst MPLS optical network 21 b that sent the UNI request to the legacynetwork 22. The network management system 26 then sends (arrow C) asignal to the edge network element 24 a originally receiving the UNIrequest from the first MPLS optical network 21 b, causing that edgenetwork element 24 a to send such a suitable response under the UNIprotocol to the relevant edge network element of the first MPLS opticalnetwork 21 b.

The indication of the successful connection is then finally relayed tothe first IP network 21 a by the first MPLS optical network 21 b tocomplete the connection process. The network element of the first IPnetwork 21 a is then able to send data via the optical network 20 to theappropriate network element of the second IP network 23 a. Should theprocess fail at any stage, then a failure response is sent back to therequesting network. The network is arranged such that on such a failureany intermediate connections that have been made in relation to thegiven connection request are cleared down.

As will be appreciated, various modifications may be made to the abovedescribed embodiments. For example, two IP networks could be connectedvia an optical network, such that a first IP network is connected to asingle MPLS optical network, which is connected to a single legacynetwork, which is connected to a second IP network. In such a case, thereceipt from the first network of a UNI request requesting connection tothe second IP network would be handled in a similar manner to thatdescribed with reference to the first embodiment. The UNI request passedon by the MPLS optical network would be passed from an ingress legacynetwork element to the network management system of the legacy network,which would set a connection across the legacy network to the second IPnetwork, and then cause the ingress legacy network element to send anappropriate response to the requesting IP network, data thereafter beingtransmitted from the first IP network across the optical network and tothe second IP network.

Also, two IP networks could be connected via an optical network, suchthat a first IP network is connected to a single legacy network, whichis connected to a single MPLS optical network, which is connected to asecond IP network. In such a case, the receipt from the first network ofa UNI request requesting connection to the second IP network would behandled in a similar manner to that described with reference to thesecond embodiment. The UNI request would be passed from an ingresslegacy network element to the network management system of the legacynetwork, which would set a connection, send a UNI request via an egresslegacy network element to the MPLS optical network, receive anappropriate response via the egress legacy network element from the MPLSoptical network, and then cause the ingress legacy network element tosend an appropriate response to the requesting IP network, datathereafter being transmitted from the first IP network across theoptical network and to the second IP network.

Other permutations of legacy optical, optical MPLS, and IP networks willof course be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Whilst MPLS optical networks have been referred to above, theembodiments described would of course also be of use if the MPLS opticalnetworks were in the form of GMPLS (generalised MPLS) optical networks.

The IP based networks described above need not be IP data networks andcould alternatively be ATM data networks, since such networks may alsobe used with MPLS and user network interfaces (UNI)

The topology protocols used across the MPLS networks need not be OSPF.For example, the topology protocol used may alternatively be an IS/IS(Intermediate System to Intermediate System Routing Exchange) protocolfrom the OSI (Open Systems Interconnection).

1-13. (canceled)
 14. A method of operating a connection-oriented firstcommunications network having a plurality of first network elements inwhich connections across the first network elements are established by anetwork management system, the connection-oriented first communicationsnetwork being connectable to a second communications network by an edgenetwork element, the second communications network having a plurality ofsecond network elements, the method being performed to establish aconnection across the connection-oriented first communications networkin response to a connection request from the second communicationsnetwork, the method comprising the steps of: a) the network managementsystem receiving from the edge network element information relating tothe connection request which the edge network element received from thesecond communications network; b) sending signals by the networkmanagement system to set the connection in response to said informationfrom the edge network element; and c) the network management systemsending to the edge network element a signal indicative of a status ofthe connection.
 15. The method according to claim 14, wherein theconnection-oriented first communications network is further connectableto a third communications network by a further edge network element, thethird communications network having a plurality of third networkelements, the method further comprising the step of causing the furtheredge network element by the network management system to send aconnection request to the third communications network, thereby enablinga connection of the second and third communications networks via theconnection-oriented first communications network.
 16. The methodaccording to claim 14, and further comprising the step of operating theconnection-oriented first communications network such that, in use,topology information relating to the connection-oriented firstcommunications network is not made available outside theconnection-oriented first communications network.
 17. The methodaccording to claim 14, wherein the connection request is made in aclient-server arrangement, in which the connection-oriented firstcommunications network is a server network, and in which the secondcommunications network is a client network.
 18. The method according toclaim 14, wherein the connection-oriented first communications networkand the second communications network use different switching or routingtechniques.
 19. The method according to claim 14, and further comprisingthe edge network element sending a response to the second communicationsnetwork indicating the status of the connection.
 20. The methodaccording to claim 14, and further comprising the step of clearing downany intermediate connections established in relation to the connectionrequest if setting of the connection failed.
 21. The method according toclaim 14, wherein the connection request includes routing information.22. The method according to claim 14, wherein the second networkelements of the second communications network are operative forestablishing connections or routing data across the secondcommunications network.
 23. An edge network element for use in aconnection-oriented first communications network having a plurality offirst network elements in which connections across the first networkelements are established by a network management system, theconnection-oriented first communications network being connectable to asecond communications network by the edge network element, the secondcommunications network having a plurality of second network elements,wherein, in order to establish a connection across theconnection-oriented first communications network, the edge networkelement is adapted to receive a connection request from the secondcommunications network and to send information relating to theconnection request to the network management system, and to receive fromthe network management system a signal indicative of a status of theconnection established by the network management system, wherein theconnection is established by the network management system sendingsignals to set the connection in response to the received information.24. The edge network element according to claim 23, wherein theconnection-oriented first communications network is an opticalcommunications network.
 25. The edge network element according to claim23, wherein the second network elements of the second communicationsnetwork are operative for establishing connections or routing data inaccordance with multi-protocol label switching (MPLS).
 26. The edgenetwork element according to claim 23, adapted to relay the connectionrequest to the network management system.
 27. A network managementsystem node for use in a connection-oriented first communicationsnetwork having a plurality of first network elements in whichconnections across the first network elements are established by thenetwork management system, the connection-oriented first communicationsnetwork being connectable to a second communications network by an edgenetwork element, the second communications network having a plurality ofsecond network elements, wherein, in order to establish a connectionacross the connection-oriented first communications network, the networkmanagement system is adapted to receive information relating to aconnection request from the edge network element, wherein the edgenetwork element received the connection request from the secondcommunications network; and the network management system is furtheradapted to send signals to set the connection in response to thereceived information and to send to the edge network element a signalindicative of a status of the connection.
 28. A method of operating aconnection-oriented first communications network having a plurality offirst network elements in which connections across the first networkelements are established by a network management system, theconnection-oriented first communications network being connectable to asecond communications network by an edge network element, the secondcommunications network having a plurality of second network elements,the method being performed to establish a connection across theconnection-oriented first communications network in response to aconnection request from the second communications network, the methodcomprising the steps of: a) upon the edge network element receiving theconnection request from the second communications network, sending tothe network management system information relating to the connectionrequest; b) the edge network element receiving from the networkmanagement system a signal to set the connection, wherein the signal toset the connection is in response to said information from the edgenetwork element; and c) the edge network element receiving a signal fromthe network management system indicative of a status of the connectionestablished by the network management system.